21 January 2025: In a significant step towards enhancing reproductive health services in Zimbabwe, Students And Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) and the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at promoting family planning initiatives across the country. This partnership is poised to empower young people and ensure they have access to vital health information and services.
The signing ceremony, held at the ZNFPC headquarters in Harare on the 20th of January, underscores a shared commitment to advancing family planning education and services, particularly for young people, who often face barriers in accessing reproductive health resources.
The Chief Executive Officer for ZNFPC, Farai Machinga emphasized the importance of family planning in promoting healthier families and communities. “This partnership is not just about providing services,” he stated. “It’s about equipping our youth with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”
“Through this partnership, we seek to ensure that services are accessible, available and affordable for everyone. Our services are user friendly and are non-discriminatory,” Machinga added.
“As of 2024, we have noted a 1% reduction in teenage pregnancies in the country and as providers and consumers of Family Planning services, we must prioritize our own health to deliver quality care”, highlighted Machinga pointing that through the SAYWHATs Call Centers referral system which complements their family planning efforts, missed opportunities can be reduced.
SAYWHAT has long been at the forefront of advocating for young people’s health rights in Zimbabwe. With the signing of this MOU, the organization aims to leverage its extensive network of youth leaders and volunteers to disseminate critical information about family planning methods, contraceptive options, and the importance of reproductive health education.
SAYWHAT Executive Director Jimmy Wilford, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the organization’s Head of Programs, Dorcas Chikorova, said the MoU is instrumental in soliciting for family planning resources to ensure that young people in Zimbabwe have access to comprehensive family planning services.
“In 2024 with the support of FP 2030, SAYWHAT embarked on the ‘increasing Public Financing for Family Planning’ project in Zimbabwe aimed at increasing public financing for Family Planning, political will, and access to services specifically targeting adolescents and young people,” said Wilford.
“Our objectives are clear to advocate for high level support and commitments to engage policy makers in the private sector and to strengthen collaboration and learning among stakeholders.”
Wilford also expressed concern about the potential global impact of the Global Gag Rule which will have significant implications for family planning initiatives worldwide. “SAYWHAT remains vigilant, understanding that such policies can restrict funding and limit access to SRH services. Our collaboration with ZNFPC is now more critical than ever as we work together to navigate these global challenges” he said.
This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s journey toward comprehensive reproductive health care. By combining resources and expertise, SAYWHAT and the ZNFPC are set to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people across the nation, ensuring that family planning becomes not just an option, but a reality for all.
Leave a Reply